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“I’d murder anyone who even looked at them the wrong way.”
“Exactly,” I said, maybe a little too fiercely. “Someone should have been there to do that for you.”
He was quiet for a while, and his breathing was so even I thought maybe he’d fallen asleep. His hair was silk on my chest, and every gentle movement set strands of it sliding along my bare skin.
“Being real sucks sometimes,” he murmured. Surprising me, he got up and stretched, then gathered the rest of his clothing, and his boots.
“Where are you going?”
“Somewhere safe to sleep.”
“You’re safe here.”
“Yes, but you might not be.” He slid his shirt over his head. It was merch for Rose Red, with a cool shot of Tarryn in her armor.
“Will we see you tomorrow?”
He raised his brows, as though I’d surprised him. “Maybe.”
I walked him to the door, but he turned before I could open it for him. When I hesitated, he caught me by the waistband of my boxers and pulled me close. He brushed his lips over mine, then pushed me away, and was gone before I could think of anything to say.
Across the apartment, Tarryn murmured in her sleep.
I locked him out, knowing damned well he could get back in, then went to lie next to my wife. The information he’d given me about his past would upset her as much as it had me, but it wasn’t my information to tell. Maybe she already knew.
Ass still sore, emotions raw, and the ghost of his kiss lingering on my lips, I tried to slide back into sleep.
Chapter Ten: Loïc
Who deserves love?
What makes one deserving?
Loïc Leduc, Journal 15
“Is this a bad time?”
Jack and their guests turned to face me. The strangers seemed to be cooking together, as though they were running a restaurant out of Jack’s kitchen. There were maybe fifteen of them—all of them with facial piercings and tropically colored hair. It had seemed like a fun time until I interrupted.
My friend grinned, gesturing to me. “Everyone, this is Loïc!”
The rest of them gave me enthusiastic smiles. A few of them waved.
“Friends of yours?” I asked, bemused. I’d never seen anyone in their apartment before, let alone a whole group.
“Yes! Where have you been? You were gone so long I was starting to wonder if you were ever coming back.”
“I’ve been doing a lot of traveling.”
“Spending time with Tarryn and Valor?”
“Yes.” The tips of my ears grew hot. It was so childish to feel bashful about it, but I wasn’t used to talking about them in…public.
Jack had drawn away from the others and sat me down on a couch that looked like they’d pulled it out of a dumpster.
“How are things going?”
“How do you know if you’re in love with someone?”
